Jason Fitzgerald, who rebuilt Meigs County High School's football program into one of the area's most consistent winners over the past nine seasons, has resigned.
Fitzgerald did not disclose Thursday where his next stop might be, but he said he is not retiring from coaching and will pursue other options.
Since his arrival at Meigs before the 2014 season, Fitzgerald compiled an 89-23 record with the Tigers that included six consecutive 10-win seasons and a 30-game streak of regular-season wins at one point.
"This was a very tough decision," Fitzgerald said. "We've had great support from the administration and community since I got here, and the kids have worked extremely hard to build something special.
"Along the way some people have asked if I thought we could make the run that we've had, and I've always said, 'No way.' We had a seven-year period where we won 75 of 85 games. Who thinks something like that can happen? That took everybody from the players and staff and administration and community to accomplish. Being able to surround ourselves with people who bought in was the key."
In only his second season, Fitzgerald took Meigs to its first winning season in eight years and first playoff appearance in four seasons. His final six Tigers teams were a combined 80-12 with two Class 2A state runner-up finishes (2019, 2020).
"When he came in we were at the bottom in every aspect. He systematically rebuilt the whole program," Meigs County schools superintendent Clint Baker said. "He turned around the whole attitude toward football in the school and community and did so much culture wise with his ability to relate to players, parents and community members. We were very fortunate to have him for nine years.
"We've got one or two on staff who might apply, but we may also open it up. It's still early in the process of finding our next coach for us."
Prior to taking over at Meigs, Fitzgerald coached at Hixson in 2012-13 and took that program to its first back-to-back seasons of seven-plus wins since 1963. The Wildcats had just one playoff win previously in program history but reached the quarterfinals in 2013.
Fitzgerald's 16 wins at Hixson are also the best two-year total in school history and included the team's first victory over Tyner in 21 years and first over Red Bank in 18 years.
He also had two stints as head coach at Rhea County (1999-2003, 2006-2010), where his teams won 66 games and two region titles and reached the quarterfinals in three of their seven playoff appearances.
Fitzgerald is 171-79 in 21 years as a head coach, with eight region championships, and has been named region coach of the year nine times. He has coached five players who earned state Mr. Football finalist honors.
His teams have reached the playoffs in 17 of his 21 seasons, with five quarterfinals, one semifinal and two appearances in state championship games.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.